Light heals gums
Many people believe that a healthy mouth and teeth are self-evident, and only when a problem arises in the mouth do they realize how important their health is for the health of the entire body. And without healthy teeth and healthy gums, there is no question of oral health. The population around the world suffers from various inflammations of the gums, which has prompted numerous researchers to deal with pathogenic microorganisms that cause oral diseases. More precisely, to examine the mechanisms of their action on the mucous membrane of the mouth and gums, i.e. the periodontium, and on the health of the entire body. Research has shown a connection between periodontal and heart disease, premature birth, atherosclerosis… That is why modern dental treatment includes both the prevention and treatment of dental and gum diseases, as well as maintaining dental health. The mouth is a natural environment for numerous microorganisms. Hundreds of different bacteria live in it quite happily, most of which serve to maintain the biological balance in the mouth.
Risk test
A small number of bacteria in the mouth have a hostile role, creating plaque that deposits on the teeth and causes inflammation of the supporting dental tissue. Therefore, the removal of pathogenic bacteria, their reduction in number or their destruction in the space created between the tooth and the dental tissue, is the main goal of periodontal therapy. The shocking discovery by scientists that in some individuals, the destruction of the jawbone is the result of a violent response of their defense system to pathogenic bacteria, prompted the creation of a new diagnostic method, the Genetic Test for the Risk of Gum Disease, which helps in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Experience shows that mechanical removal of bacteria above and ultrasonically above and below the gums, as well as root planing and polishing, cannot remove all the bacteria that have been found there. Microbiological periodontal tests reveal which bacteria are present in the mouth after their mechanical and ultrasonic removal, and whether there are any among them that lead to gum inflammation. The results obtained allow for the prescription of an antibiotic that specifically targets the pathogenic bacteria. If even antibiotics do not solve the problem, surgical treatment of the gums is recommended.
Intelligent method
The 5th European Congress of Periodontology was recently held in Madrid, where, among other things, new antimicrobial strategies for treating the oral cavity were presented. It is known that some patients avoid or are not allowed to use antibiotics, which makes it difficult to treat bacterial infections. Therefore, painless, photodynamic therapy was presented, which has been successfully used in dermatology, ophthalmology, neurology and gynecology.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is based on the discovery that a certain wavelength of light destroys pathogenic bacteria. When it is illuminated with dental tissue, the light destroys diseased cells, while sparing healthy cells and creating an active form of oxygen that destroys bacteria. Photodynamic therapy can be used to treat all inflammations of the gums caused by bacterial accumulations, for example those that appear around dental implants.
Cleaning and treatment
The procedure itself is simple, and one visit to the dentist is sufficient for the therapy itself. After the mandatory mechanical cleaning, the supporting tissue of the diseased tooth is stained, and after a minute or two, the mouth is rinsed with water. Then, light of a specific wavelength is shone on the area affected by inflammation. Irradiation of the supporting tissue of one tooth, which corresponds to an area of one square centimeter, takes about a minute. The effect of the therapy is visible after three days. In addition to being fast, painless and effective, photodynamic therapy has no unwanted effects.
